Butter prices soar to record highs

Supply is constrained going into the holiday baking season due to lower production and increased summer demand for ice cream and other products.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Oct. 19, 2023

California Gov. Newsom signs major climate disclosure bills but worries about ‘overall financial impact’

For food producers, the laws require large companies to disclose their supply chain emissions down to the farm level. Agriculture groups and other critics have raised concerns about the deadlines and the cost to businesses.

By Zoya Mirza • Oct. 19, 2023

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Top 5 stories from Agriculture Dive

Declining farm income and other production challenges have pushed farmers to rethink their operations and adopt new technology in a bid to diversify potential revenue streams. 

By Agriculture Dive staff

Walmart renews partnership with Denali to turn food waste into animal feed

The Arkansas-based companies plan to divert millions of pounds of inedible food for use in feedstocks, compost or renewable energy.

By Nathan Owens • Oct. 17, 2023

Israel-Hamas war prompts concerns over global fertilizer supply

Shipping restrictions and “war risk” surcharges out of a port near Gaza could disrupt potash exports, though prices aren't predicted to spike like after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Oct. 13, 2023

Turkey prices could fall as Thanksgiving nears, but bird flu reemergence threatens flocks

Consumers will likely see lower prices for the holiday staple compared to last fall, according to a report, but the unpredictable avian influenza remains a threat.

By Chris Casey • Oct. 13, 2023

Meat snack maker fined $140K, faced shipping restrictions for child labor violations

The U.S. Department of Labor is ramping up enforcement activity and putting employers "on notice" as it reports a significant rise in the number of children illegally working at facilities.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Updated Oct. 13, 2023

Walmart pouring $350M into new milk processing plant

The facility builds on the retailer’s efforts to control more of its fresh foods supply chain. 

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Oct. 12, 2023

US tomato tariff dispute becomes ripe with tension

As small farmers petition to terminate a longstanding trade deal with Mexico, NatureSweet and others are sounding the alarm about a potential spike in consumer prices.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Oct. 11, 2023

How low Mississippi River water levels could disrupt grain harvests, again

Back-to-back years of drought are pushing some farmers to new markets and modes of transportation. Others, however, have no choice but to use the river.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Oct. 9, 2023

US pea protein producers in ‘grave peril’ as consumer demand grows

Cheap imports from China have undercut ingredient players in the domestic market, according to manufacturer Puris.

By Elizabeth Flood • Oct. 6, 2023

This AI chatbot can help predict supply chain disruptions at farms

Cersi, a virtual analyst introduced by agtech startup Helios, can be used by large food companies to manage commodity risks in the face of climate change and market volatility. 

By Sarah Zimmerman • Oct. 3, 2023

Port of Oakland cargo volumes drop 15% in August

Demand from retailers and manufacturers has declined, though the port remains optimistic that agriculture exports will soon pick up.

By Alejandra Carranza • Sept. 28, 2023

Kroger makes local sourcing pledge tied to Albertsons merger

The grocery giant said it will increase the number of products from local farms and businesses by 10% in its stores once the proposed mega-merger closes. 

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Sept. 22, 2023

Big food’s regenerative agriculture pledges mostly just talk

Most businesses lack quantitative targets to reach their goals and only a few of them offer financial commitments to support farmers, according to a FAIRR report.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Sept. 22, 2023

China appeals WTO ruling against retaliatory tariffs on US goods

The move allows $2.4 billion in duties on pork, fruits and other products to remain in place as the trade body’s appellate court remains in crisis.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Sept. 20, 2023

Canadian National, Norfolk Southern add US-Canada intermodal service

The railroads’ joint venture will provide connections from Kansas City and Atlanta to several points across Canada beginning Oct. 2.

By Larry Avila • Sept. 20, 2023

USDA urged to change ‘out-of-date’ definition for compost

Composters worry the decades-old definition leaves modern facilities and compostable products out of compliance.

By Jacob Wallace • Sept. 19, 2023

Mars pushes regenerative agriculture in $1B climate initiative

The M&Ms and Skittles maker will reformulate its recipes and prioritize sourcing from farms that embrace sustainable practices as the CPG giant barrels toward net-zero emissions. 

By Sarah Zimmerman • Sept. 18, 2023

RFID on food packaging gains traction amid safety and waste concerns

A tracking system traditionally used for nonperishable items could become more common on certain types of packaging ahead of future traceability requirements from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

By Leslie Nemo • Sept. 15, 2023

Mission Produce profits derailed by weak avocado harvest in Peru

The produce giant had locked in lower prices for customers earlier this year on the expectation of a bumper crop, but extreme weather wrecked those plans.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Sept. 14, 2023

Global wheat production poised to decline for first time in 5 years

Countries may have to become more reliant on bumper harvests from Russia and the Ukraine, pressuring leaders to reach a grain shipping deal.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Sept. 13, 2023

FDA issues warning letters to 3 baby formula makers over safety controls

Perrigo, ByHeart and Mead Johnson were called out by the agency as part of an ongoing review of formula manufacturing after years of constrained supply and recalls.

By Kate Magill • Sept. 11, 2023

India agrees to slash tariffs on US poultry

The decision will allow for more imports of duck and turkey, ending a longstanding trade dispute between the two countries.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Sept. 11, 2023

Proposed reciprocal switching rule aims to improve rail service

Agriculture shippers could soon have a path to divert shipments to another railroad if performance levels are considered inadequate.

By Edwin Lopez , Sarah Zimmerman • Sept. 8, 2023

Barge rates pressured by low Mississippi River water levels

Increased shipping restrictions and higher prices could be “especially problematic” as corn and soybean harvests advance, the USDA reported. 

By Sarah Zimmerman • Sept. 6, 2023